The Scottish tradition of visiting friends and family after midnight on New Year's Eve is called first-footing.
The first-foot is the first person to enter a household after midnight, and the custom is associated with bringing luck for the coming year. The visitor traditionally carries gifts, commonly including coal for warmth, shortbread or other food, salt, and whisky. Customs differ among households and regions.
In older Scottish folklore, a tall, dark-haired male first-footer was often considered especially fortunate. This belief is sometimes explained as a historical reaction to Viking raids, when a blond or fair-haired stranger might have been viewed with suspicion. That explanation is a tradition-based interpretation, not a universal rule of Hogmanay.
First-footing is part of Hogmanay, Scotland's New Year celebration. The visitor may leave and return after midnight, or may be the first guest who arrives from outside. Modern celebrations often adapt the custom for practical reasons while retaining the themes of welcome and good fortune.